Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — More than $1 million — in another round of tax refund checks is scheduled for release, Monday, Oct. 03, providing a new cash infusion into the local economy and comes just in time for the upcoming White Sunday shopping.

ASG Treasurer, Malemo Tausaga, announced in a brief statement issued late last week, that the 22nd batch of tax refunds for 524 taxpayers who filed on June 28 to partial Aug. 17, would receive their tax refund checks on Oct. 03.

As in previous Treasury announcements, Treasury said the tax refunds will be distributed through direct deposit, by mail and for those who don’t have a mailing address on their tax returns, they will be able pick up refunds at the Treasury Disbursing Office on the ground floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building (EOB).

Of the total tax refunds of more than $1.30 million released today, $375,725 is paid from locally collected funds and $925,739 from the Additional Child Tax Credit, which is funded by the US Internal Revenue Service.

With ANZ Amerika Samoa operations in American Samoa officially closed down as of 3p.m. last Friday, all taxpayers expecting refunds to be direct deposited to ANZ will receive their checks in paper form in the mail and/ or for pick up at the Disbursing Office.

“Do not visit the Tax Office,” Treasury said once again and reminded the community that those picking up their checks at the Disbursing Office that social distancing and wearing a face mask is strictly enforced at the EOB.

The latest tax refunds will bring another round of new cash infusion into the local economy, and comes just in time for family shopping towards the end of this week, for “Lotu Tamaiti” — White Sunday — on Oct. 09, when children are treated to a Sunday feast and families shop for children’s best white-outfits for Sunday service.

Creating a three-day weekend is the upcoming holiday after White Sunday, as Monday, Oct. 10, is “Columbus Day” — which is also referred to as “Indigenous Peoples Day” — a local and federal holiday.

Local businesses — especially clothing shops and grocery stores — are hoping for an uptick in customers this White Sunday, shopping for White Sunday outfits for the children and food for the Sunday feast.